The remains of late Prof. Simon Mallam, who died in a gas explosion in Sabo Tasha, Kaduna, has been laid to rest in his hometown, Malagum, Kaura Local Government, Kaduna State.
Mallam, a professor of Nuclear Physics at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, was until his death the chairman of Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission.
He was buried on Saturday after a funeral service held at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Malagum.
Mallam was among eight persons killed in the gas explosion on January 4.
Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, in a message, described the late professor as a rare gem who would be missed greatly.
The minister, who was represented by Augustine Igwe, Director- General, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis, urged the family to take solace in God.
“In all situations, we should thank God. He would continue to remain a role model for his family and the nation,” he said.
The Chief of Kagoro, Ufuwai Bonet, said the Southern Kaduna and the entire nation had lost an illustrious son.
The late don was a member of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Federal Radiation Protection Service in 2003; and Chairman, Technical Advisory Committee on Radioactive Waste Management Policy in 2004.
He was also a member, National Committee on Energy Master-plan (Energy Commission of Nigeria) 2006; and Commissioner at the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission before becoming its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer in 2007.
